• T Diallo, N Dufeu, E Marret, Frédéric Covili, Marc Sin-Lie, and Marc Gentili.
• Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Centre Médico-Chirurgical de la Porte de Pantin, 75019 Paris, France.
• Acta Anaesthesiol Belg. 2009 Jan 1;60(1):3-6.

PurposeThis study measured time and ability to walk in PACU after unilateral spinal anaesthesia.MethodsOrthopaedic adult patients ASA 1-2, in the lateral decubitus position and placed on the operative side, received via a 25-gauge Whitacre needle 5 mg of 0.5% bupivacaine plus 2.5 microg of sufentanil. Lateral decubitus was maintained for 15 minutes. Time from the spinal injection to eligibility for discharge was recorded. Discharge criteria were stable hemodynamic and ability to walk without crutches.ResultsOne hundred consecutive patients (38 females), 48 +/- 15 years-old were included. Unilateral sensory block was noted in 70% of patients. The maximum level of sensory block was at L1-T12 in 30 patients, at T11-T10 in 55 patients, at T9-T8 in 6 patients and at T7-T6 in 9. Criteria for PACU discharge were completed at 140 +/- 14 min (extremes: 55-235). All patients were discharged home uneventfully.ConclusionUnilateral spinal anesthesia combining bupivacaine and sufentanil gives fast ability to walk for discharge.

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